War on Terror: A Year in Review

Offering a report card on the first year of the "War On Terrorism," declared in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, this A&E documentary analyzes the actions of the Bush administration on a month-by-month basis, starting in September 2001 and ending a year later. In many observers' opinions, the overall grade might be a "C" (if one were being generous). Capturing those believed to be responsible? Osama bin Laden and Mullah Omar are still at large. Destroying al-Qaida? New cells are springing up around the world. One of the largest aerial bombardments since the Gulf War--Operation Anaconda--did little to dislodge the al-Qaida fighters from their caves, and American bases in Afghanistan have come under steadily increasing attack, even as the number of "friendly fire" incidents have risen. Combining commentary from CBS news correspondents and interviews with various high ranking officials who often speak with unusual candor, War on Terror does a solid job of detailing the failures that resulted from America's traditional military response to a very untraditional enemy, while also outlining subsequent policy changes that were incorporated once the Washington powers-that-be gained a more realistic understanding of the enormity of the new "war." Recommended. Aud: C, P. (J. Carlson)